School officials said every Indianola High School student will start the school year with a new notebook.The school is handing out MacBook Air laptops. The first orientation session is set for Thursday at 6 p.m."The district is making a significant commitment because we understand the power of technology to engage students and give them experiences they will need in the world beyond high school," said Art Sathoff, superintendent of the district in a news release. "We are excited about what the Digital Learning Environment can do for teaching and learning in the Indianola Community School District."School officials said they started the process two years ago to move to a digital learning environment."While we've been anticipating the excitement of bringing this level of technology to the classroom, we've also been preparing for the fact that we're dealing with teenagers who have varying levels of responsibility," said Ray Coffey, director of technology. "For that reason, we've developed the following precautions, but we simply can't prepare for every scenario we'll encounter. It will be a learning year."Students won't be charged a fee or deposit to get the laptops. An Internet filter is installed on each computer to help ensure online safety.Cory Georgesen reported on the KCCI Facebook page, "We did it for my entire high school experience. Helped so much. You can't teach everything on a board and paper. The world is changing. Plus you don't purchase them. You pay a small fee for insurance."What do you think, should all Iowa school children have a laptop or tablet? More than 200 have already commented. Add your comment in the box below or on the KCCI Facebook page.

INDIANOLA, Iowa —

School officials said every Indianola High School student will start the school year with a new notebook.

The school is handing out MacBook Air laptops. The first orientation session is set for Thursday at 6 p.m.

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"The district is making a significant commitment because we understand the power of technology to engage students and give them experiences they will need in the world beyond high school," said Art Sathoff, superintendent of the district in a news release. "We are excited about what the Digital Learning Environment can do for teaching and learning in the Indianola Community School District."

School officials said they started the process two years ago to move to a digital learning environment.

"While we've been anticipating the excitement of bringing this level of technology to the classroom, we've also been preparing for the fact that we're dealing with teenagers who have varying levels of responsibility," said Ray Coffey, director of technology. "For that reason, we've developed the following precautions, but we simply can't prepare for every scenario we'll encounter. It will be a learning year."

Students won't be charged a fee or deposit to get the laptops. An Internet filter is installed on each computer to help ensure online safety.

Cory Georgesen reported on the KCCI Facebook page, "We did it for my entire high school experience. Helped so much. You can't teach everything on a board and paper. The world is changing. Plus you don't purchase them. You pay a small fee for insurance."

What do you think, should all Iowa school children have a laptop or tablet? More than 200 have already commented. Add your comment in the box below or on the KCCI Facebook page.